Blood collection device with ejectable tips

Abstract

A blood collecting device for use in collecting blood samples. A blood collecting device comprises a tubular holder, needle assembly and tube where the needle assembly is engageably retained to the holder by a latching means. The latching means may be manually disengaged allowing the needle assembly to be ejected affirmatively by a spring loaded ejection means without touching the needle manually.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as the following: 
     
       1. In a blood collecting device for use in collecting blood samples wherein the collecting device comprises a tubular holder with an open end and a needle mount end and a needle assembly having a hub fitting and a double ended needle extending therethrough, the needle assembly being mounted on the tubular holder by inserting one end of the needle through an opening in the needle mount end and sliding the needle longitudinally inward until there is engagement between the hub fitting and the needle mount end, the tubular holder compatibly receiving a blood collection tube through the open end of said holder so as to engage the inwardly extending end of the needle, the improvement wherein the needle mount end and hub fitting comprise mating inwardly tapered surfaces that provide a sealed engagement therebetween when the hub fitting is seated on the needle mount end, the sealing engagement being broken as soon as the hub fitting is moved away from its seated position on the needle mount end, the device comprising manually releasable latch means for affirmatively retaining the hub fitting of the needle assembly seated on the needle mount end, the needle assembly being slidably longitudinally out of engagement with the needle mount end when the latch means is released, the device further comprising automatic, non-manual ejection means for dislodging the needle assembly longitudinally from the needle mount when the latching means is disengaged, the needle assembly moving freely off the end of the needle mount end as soon as the hub fitting is dislodged from its seated position, due to the tapered shape of the needle mount end and the hub fitting. 
     
     
       2. A blood collecting device as in claim 1 wherein the ejection means is a compressible spring positioned between the hub fitting of the needle assembly and needle mount end such that the spring is compressed as the hub fitting is moved into latching engagement with the needle mount. 
     
     
       3. A blood collection device as in claim 1 wherein the latching means comprises a latch member mounted on the tubular holder for movement between a latching position, wherein the latch member engages a cooperating surface on the hub fitting and restrains the hub fitting from longitudinal withdrawal from the needle mount, and a released position, wherein the latch member is disengaged from the needle assembly and the assembly is removed from the needle mount end by longitudinal slidable movement. 
     
     
       4. A blood collection device according to claim 3 wherein the hub fitting has an outwardly extending flange that engages the latch member, the latch member being pivotably mounted on the tubular holder at a point between the ends, a latch point end of the latch member being positioned for retaining engagement with the flange when the latch member is in its latching position, the latch point end moving out of position for retaining engagement with the flange when the latch member is pivoted to the released position, the latch member having a lever end positioned adjacent the tubular holder, the lever end being manually movable to move the latch member to the released position. 
     
     
       5. A blood collection device according to claim 4 wherein the tubular holder includes an elongated tubular body and the needle mount end comprises a tapered projection of reduced diameter on one end of the body, with the projection having the opening therethrough for the needle, the hub fitting positioned longitudinally over the projection and being urged to be retained on the projection in the absence of the latching means only by frictional engagement between the hub fitting and the projection, the latching member comprising an L-shaped member including a first arm extending along the outer surface of the tubular member toward the open end and a second arm connected at substantially right angles to the first arm at the outer end thereof and extending radially inwardly to a position behind the flange on the hub fitting, the latching member being movable between its latching and released positions by manipulation of the first arm of the latching member, the latching member being resiliently biased toward its latching position, the latching member further including cam means for engaging the hub fitting as it is mounted on the projection and moving the latching member to its released position until the hub fitting is mounted on the projection. 
     
     
       6. A blood collection device according to claim 1 wherein the latch means resiliently urges the hub fitting to remain in seated, sealing engagement with the needle mount end until the latch means is released. 
     
     
       7. In a blood collecting device for use in collecting blood samples wherein the collecting device comprises a tubular holder with an open end and a needle mount end and a needle assembly having a hub fitting and a double ended needle extending therethrough, the needle assembly being mounted on the tubular holder by inserting one end of the needle through an opening in the needle mount end and sliding the needle longitudinally inward until there is engagement between the hub fitting and the needle mount end, the tubular holder compatibly receiving a blood collection tube through the open end of said holder so as to engage the inwardly extending end of the needle, the improvement wherein the device comprises manually releasable latch means for affirmatively retaining the needle assembly on the needle mount end, the needle assembly being slidable longitudinally out of engagement with the needle mount end when the latch means is released, the hub fitting having an outwardly extending flange that engages the latch member, the latch member being pivotably mounted on the tubular holder at a point between the ends, a latch point end of the latch member being positioned for retaining engagement with the flange when the latch member is in its latching position, the latch point end moving out of position for retaining engagement with the flange when the latch member is pivoted to the released position, the latch member having a lever end positioned adjacent the tubular holder, the lever end being manually movable to move the latch member to the released position, the outer end of the latch member comprising a double tooth latch point that compatibly retains the flange of the needle assembly until said latch member is manually released to cause release of the needle assembly from the needle mount end of said collecting device.